Habeeb Abolaji Babatunde, a PhD candidate in Computing at Boise State University, is developing artificial intelligence (AI) tools that could transform how industries monitor food, agriculture, and healthcare quality. His ongoing research uses AI-driven spectroscopy to deliver rapid, affordable, and reliable testing, work that aligns with urgent priorities identified by the Nigerian government.

Traditional lab testing can take hours and requires costly infrastructure. Habeeb’s models already show promise, achieving over 90% accuracy in protein measurement in seconds. In addition, he has released an open-source package called SpectoPrep (available on PyPI), which is transforming how spectral datasets are preprocessed. Unlike the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach common in the literature, SpectoPrep automates preprocessing using a data-centric framework, making advanced spectral analysis more accurate, reproducible, and accessible. While not yet a complete solution, his combined efforts demonstrate the potential for faster, more reliable, and widely accessible quality control worldwide.

Nigeria’s government has highlighted food safety, dairy self-sufficiency, and healthcare diagnostics as urgent priorities. Nearly 200,000 Nigerians die annually from foodborne illnesses, making rapid detection of contamination and adulteration a public health imperative. At the same time, the country spends over $1.5 billion annually on imported dairy products, prompting a National Dairy Policy aimed at boosting local production, quality, and competitiveness. In healthcare, expanding affordable and integrated diagnostic services is central to achieving universal health coverage. Habeeb’s AI-spectroscopy framework directly contributes to these priorities, offering tools that could enable faster, lower-cost food testing, ensure milk quality, and support diagnostic capabilities in clinics and hospitals.

“As someone who started my journey in Nigeria, I see this research not just as science, but as a pathway to empower industries and communities back home,” Habeeb said.

Open Science and Collaboration

Habeeb has released SpectoPrep, an open-source preprocessing tool already adopted across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. While not every tool will be open-source, this step lowers barriers for universities, startups, and industries globally.

Looking Ahead

Habeeb, a top mathematics graduate from Nigeria, will complete his PhD in 2025. In 2018, he earned a silver medal at the National Mathematics Competition for University Students, ranking 8th nationally, and was also recognised as the joint best graduating mathematician at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria (FUTA). Guided by advisors Dr Tim Andersen and Dr Owen McDougal, he has published peer-reviewed studies and collaborated with North American dairy processors, including Daisy Brand and Agropur. Looking ahead, he plans to expand partnerships that bring AI-powered spectroscopy into real-world applications, from food safety to healthcare diagnostics.